Apparatus for and method of plating with metal.



J. E. WOODBURY.

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF PLATING WITH METAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, I9l5. LQQLSS'L Patent-ed Jan. 14, 1919.

l L l Mai 1m] J. E. WOODBURY.

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF FLATING WITH METAL.

APPLl A ION FILED MAY 29. 19 4 Patellmd Jim- 3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

J. E WOODBURY.

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF PLATING WITH METAL.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3 APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, I915.

MAI.

JOHN E. WOODBURY, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETT$.

PATUS FUR AND METHOD OF PLATING WITH METAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 191..

Application filed May 229, 1915. fierial 110. 31,109.

with a harder metal, particularly nickel,

cobalt or iron, but it is to be understood that it is not limited to this particular embodiment of the invention except as expressed in the claims.

The principal objects of the invention are.

to provide for the uniform and even facing of one surface of an object, as for example, a block of type, without plating the sides or opposite surface of the same; to provide for securing a relatively large amount of anode surface so that a relatively large amount of metal may be provided for the attack of the electrolyte in a minimum of space and at the same time to permit of the consumption of practically all of the anode metal; to provide for securing the free passage of comparatively large amounts of electrolyte and rapid circulation of the electrolyte through the apparatus, seas to mix it thoroughly and to provide for keeping a large amount of anode metal submerged; to provide for the distribution and flow-ofi of the electrolyte uniformly throughout the area to be plated; toprovide for-plating with a very high cathode current density so as to produce solid plating in a minimum of time; to permit of keeping the electromotive force constant by arranging the parts so that the resistance of the entire systemwill at all times be closely in proportion to the amount of surface exposed to the plating action whereby most reliable results can be secured with a minimum of The invention also involves improvements in other features and details as will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, the electrolyte tank being shown broken away and partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the upper portion of the same;

Fig, 3 is a plan of the rear portion;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 11- 1 of Fig. 1, showing the anode member in plan;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 1, showing the supporting and operating means for the cathode in plan;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the pump;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view of one of the anode boxes on enlarged scale, and

Fig. 9 is a plan of a modified arrangement for the anode member.

The invention is shown in a form in which a tank 10 for the electrolyte bath supports in it a stand 11 which constitutes the support for the main partof the apparatus, and also for the cathode 12 itself. Carried on uprights or legs 13 secured to this stand is a frame 14 which constitutes a support for the anode member 15 and for certain other features. This framealso carries a pump 16 which is driven from a motor 17. 1t will be noted that the anode and cathode are supported out in the air, well above the topof the electrolyte bath.

The pump, which is for the purpose of circulating the electrolyte, is shown as a centrifugal one having a bearing 20 for a shaft 21 which is operated directly from the motor and has a hollow lower end. Connected with its interior are a set of tubes 22. A cup 23 which rotates with the shaft incloses the lower ends of these tubes. This cup prevents churning and spraylng. "On the. bearing 20 is a statlonary cup 19 inclosing the cup 23 and the lower ends of the tubes. The rotation of the shaft and tubes causes the electrolyte to be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force and consequently to rise in the tubes 22. The liquid is thus thrown out at the ends of these tubes circumferentially and strikes the walls of a stationary receptacle 24 which is receptacle has an annular channel 25 for receiving the electrolyte. A series of pipes 26 conduct the electrolyte to a series of hollow anode boxes 27, each pipe 26 extending to one anode box. Each pipe has a valve 28 so that any desired ones can be closed. In this way a substantially even distribution of the electrolyte is secured around the interior of the receptable 24 and equal amounts pass into the open pipes 26 and consequently into the anode boxes.

The anode boxes 27 are shown separate from each other but are supported between the frames 14 and have their bottom surfaces in a plane so that together they constitute the anode member 15. The operative face of each box, in the present case the bottom, is provided with a series of perforations 29 extending part way through and enlarged at the bottom to form enlarged openings 30. The perforations are not minuteones but have a material diameter. I have found 3/64 to be a practicable size. Eachbox is provided with the anode metal in the form of small particles 31. These particles may be in the form of granulations, chips, shavings, or the like,

but should be looseenough so that the electrolyte can have free access to their surfaces and can flow through the mass freely. The anode terminal 32 extends into this mass near the perforated surface and is connected with thecircuit and with a switch or cut out 32.

The electrolyte as has been stated enters these anode boxes from the tubes 26 and passes out through the openings 30. Means is provided whereby the electrolyte .is caused to entirely surround the mass of anode particles and cause it to run through the perforation in a regulated stream. In the present case as the perforated surface is shown at the bottom of the anode member the mass of anode metal is simply placed upon this surface and allowed to remain above it for some distance and the electrolyte is caused to maintain a level preferably somewhat above the level of the anode metal, so as to keep the latter immersed. For this purpose each of the anode boxes is provided with an air tight cover 33 and with an air pipe 34 which connects with a transverse pipe 35. which in turn 1s connected by a pipe 36 with an exhausting device 37. This exhausting de vice in the present case is shown in the form of a simple open ended tube mounted I to rotate with a shaft 38 which is rotated at a rapid speed by means of a belt from the shaft 21. This causes the air to be thrown out by centrifugal force and produces a partial vacuum In the pipes 34, 35 and 36, and therefore also in the top of the anode member. The amount of exhaustion is indicated by an ordinary U tube 41 on the front of a plate 42 with which the device is provided, this being connected with the pipe 35 by a tube 43 on the back of the instrument board 42. The result of this is that a reduced pressure is maintained above the level of the electrolyte in each of the anode boxes 27 and consequently the flow of electrolyte down through the perforation 29 is regulated. In the present instance a vacuum is maintained equal to the weight of one inch of water, and consequently the electrolyte is normally held at a height of one inch in the boxes. In other words, the amount of electrolyte in the anode boxes is kept substantially constant, the liquid flowing out being constantly equalto the amount flowing in.

As so far described, all the anode boxes are referred to as being supplied with electrolyte through the pipes 26. However, in that case. it 18 found in practice that, while there is free circulation of the electrolyte around the edges, yet the location of the cathode 12 just under the lower surface of the anode member results in the holding of some electrolyte in a practically quiescent state near the center of the cathode. This liquid, therefore, has a tendency not to take part in the reaction and the plating is not perfect and uniform.

To overcome this defect I close every alternate valve 28 so that only about half of the anode boxes are supplied with electrolyte from the pump and I provide means for causing the electrolyte to circulate in the opposite direction through the other boxes. This preferably consists of a siphon.

In the drawings, the second and fourth boxes 27 are provided with pipes 39, each having a valve 40 and extending out and then down so as to dip into a tank 44- supported on the framework, the top of which is below the bottoms of the boxes 27.

Now the liquid is maintained at the same height in these boxes as in the others by the suction. But none can flow out through theirperforated bottoms after the valve 28 is closed. The leg of the siphon 39 being longer than the other leg, will tend to cause a flow of liquid into the tank 44 which overflows at the top, thus maintaining a constant level. But on account of the fact that liquid can enter this box only through the capillary perforations 29, the height of the tank 44 can he, and is, adjusted to such a point that under these circumstances the weight of the liquid in the longer leg of the siphon will not be sufficient to overcome the surface tension in the capillary openings and there will normally be no flow. However, when liquid flows under these boxes (Nos. 2 and 4) from the adjacent ones, this liquid will remove the effect of the surface tension and will be rapttl a flow of liquid will take place upwardly through this box whenever llquid is present on the cathode under its surface. This liquid flows through the siphon pipes 39 into the constant level tank 44 and then overflows into the main tank. It may be added that should the electrolyte become stationary, rel-- atively to any part of the cathode surface, it must necessarily be under a slightly heavier pressure than surrounding electrolyte in motion and this slight pressure will assist the siphon in moving this electrolyte and permitting its replacement with fresh solution. lit is to be noted that substantially all the electrolyte that is acted on by the current is kept in the space between the cathode and anode, and thus plating on the sides is practicall prevented.

Driven by belt from the shaft 21 is a vertical shaft 15 mounted in supports 46 and provided with an ofiset lower end 47 constituting a crank. This lower end is connected by a cleat 4:9 with a frame 50. This frame is provided with a couple of cross pieces 51 which constitute a part of the frame and which rest on bearing surfaces 52 on the top of the frame 11. Another cross-piece 53 also connects the members 50 and this is connected by links 54 with a pair of swinging arms 55 pivotally depending from the frames 14:. These links 54: are parallel, and the arms: 55 are also parallel. Consequently the motion of the whole frame 50-51 is a parallel motion, and it par-takes exactly of the motion of the crank, in this case a circularmotion. On the plate 51 is supported a cathode box 57 which is connected with the other terminal of the circuit. In this box is mounted the cathode proper 12 which is the" article or articles to be plated.

This may be of any desired character, but in the present case a font of type is .shown. This is held in position in the box 57 in any desired way and can be held comparatively loosely as the plating does not'extend down the sides of the type even where exposed. The parts are so located that the upper or lettered surface of the type, which is the surface to be plated, will be substantially in contact with the bottom surface of the anode boxes. lBy describing it as substantially in contact I do not mean that there is any actual contact of the parts, but simply that they are near enough together so that the electrolyte will be caused to flow evenly along the surface of the type in contact with it and with the bottom of the anode memher at the same time. have found a separation of a sixteenth of an inch a practical distance to use.

The operation of the device is as fol lows i p The tank 10 is filled with the electrolyte solution. In case the invention is used for at nickeling type, this solution may be ammonium nickel sulfate, but it will be under stood, of course, that other solutions can be used within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.v The circuit being closed by the closing ofthe switch 32 and the motor 17 also being started, the shaft 21 rotates and the pump immediately commences to lift the electrolyte from the tank 10 and cause it to circulate uniformly into the several anode boxes through the pipes 26. The rotation of the shaft 21 causes the exhauster 37 to operate at a constant speed so as to maintain a vacuum as shown by the ti -tube vacuum gage 41. Therefore, practically no electrolyte will flow out of the boxes 27 until the level has reached an inch therein. After that the electrolyte will flow out freely through the small perforations in the lower surface and contact with the adjacent upper surface of the font of type which constitutes the cathode. It is to be noted that the electrolyte is circulated in a prescribed course in which the anode and cathode are interposed. The electrolyte flows' past or around the anode proper 32 and the particles of anode metal and. through the anode boxes or member. This font of type 12 is caused to move in a circular path by the shaft 45 as described throughout the plating operation.

During this time the valves 28 have been open and the valves 40 closed and it is to be understood that plating can be carried on in that manner without using the siphon arrangement. This method of operation gives good results especially when a small or narrow cathode is used. However, more uniform results on large surfaces are obtained by the use of the siphon. To use it the valves-28 of the alternate pipes 26 are closed and the corresponding valves 40 opened. From now on the electrolyte flows down through certain anode boxes, spreads out on the top surface of the cathode, and part of it flows up through the alternate anode boxes and out to the tank 44. In this way a free and uniform flow of electrolyte is maintained over the entire top surface of the cathode and uniform results are ob-' tained. w

lit is found in practice that the surface to be covered is uniformly plated without covering the sides or the. bottom of the type blocks. On account of securing the free passage of comparatively large amounts of units by theuse of the independent anode boxes, an even distribution of the electrolyte is secured and an even plating provided. It is found in practice that there is no practical difference between the plating at the corners of the cathode and at the center. A relatively large amount of anode surface for every unit of surface of the cathode is provided for by the use of the granulated anode metal and all the metal employed is consumed. The electrical resistance of the system is at all times nearly proportional to the amount of surface exposed to the plating action. This is due to the fact that if the cathode is relatively small, of course no current will flow through the anode at points not engaged by the cathode. The internal resistance is comparatively low because the distance through which the current passes in the electrolyte .is much less than in the usual electro-plalting system. A substantially constant current density is a necessary result and skilled attention does not have to be devoted to maintain the correct current strength. I I have found it advantageous also when plating type, to employ the horizontal arrangement as set forth herein, be cause it makes unnecessary the careful fastening of the fonts. I prefer that the constant resistance of each'of the branch connectin wires 60 shall be comparable with the resistance in each'of the boxes 15, so that any change that may occur in the latter will not materially affect, the rate of deposition.

In the form shown in Fig. 9, the anode member is divided up into units, both longitudinally and laterally. This is illustrated simply to show another embodiment of the invention and is especially advantageous when a larger surface is being plated.

Although I have illustrated and described only two embodiments of the invention, I am "aware of the fact that many modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction or the precise order of steps specified, but what I- do claim is 1. An electroplating apparatus comprising a hollow anode member containing particles of anode metal and having a perforated bottom.

2. An electroplating apparatus comprising a cathode and a hollow anode member containing granulated anode metal and having a surface of substantially the same size as the active surface of the cathode and located,

points and ticles of anode metal, and a single cathode cooperating with said anode member and supported in the air closely adjacent to it, whereby a thin body of electrolyte can be maintained between the anode and cathode without submerging them therein.

t. An electroplating apparatus com-prising an anode member, a cathode, the surface to be plated being close to the anode member, means for passing an electric current between the anode member and cathode, and means for circulating an electrolyte in the space between said surface to be plated and the anode member and keeping in said space substantially all the electrolyte through which the current passes.

5. An electroplating apparatus comprising an anode member having a perforated wall of large area through which electrolyte can pass, a cathode located close to said wall and having substantially the same surface area, and an electrolyte tank located at a distance from the anode.

6. An electroplating apparatus comprising an anode member having a perforated bottom, a cathode located under said bottom, and an electrolyte tank under the cathode, the surface of the cathode to be plated extending above the level of the electrolyte and almost in contact with the anode.

7 In an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a tank for receiving an electrolyte, an anode located outside said tank, a cathode, and means for flowing the electrolyte from said tank and maintaining it in the space between the anode and cathode.

8. An electroplating apparatus comprising an electrolyte tank, a plating couple consisting of an anode and cathode located close together outside said tank, and means for circulating the electrolyte in the space between said anode and cathode and back into the tank, and always maintaining a body of electrolyte filling all said space.

9. In a plating apparatus, the combination with a cathode, of an anode member having a perforated wall, means for causing an electrolyte to flow through said perforated wall of the anode member into contact with the cathode, and means for passing a current through the electrolyte while located between said wall and the adjacent surface of the cathode.

10. An electrolytic apparatus comprising an anode, a cathode close to the anode with a small air space between so that they are substantially in contact, and means for causing a current of electrolyte to fill said air space.

11. In an electrolytic apparatus, the combination of an'anode and a cathode sup ported in the air, means for causing a current of electrolyte to flow in the space between them and fill it, and means. for passmates? ing an electric current through the electrolyte in said space only.

12. lln an electroplating apparatus, the combination with a cathode, of an anode made up of a plurality of units, each unit consisting of a box having a perforated side adjacent to the cathode and provided with means for supplying a current, and means for introducing the electrolyte into each of said units.

13. An electroplating apparatus comprising an anode, a cathode under said anode, an electrolytic tank located out of contact with the anode, and means for passing a stream of electrolyte from the tank through the anode on the cathode and back into the tank, and keeping the space between the anode and the cathode filled with electrolyte, so that the body of electrolyte will always be in contact with both the anode and cathode.

14. An electroplating apparatus comprising a hollow anode member having a bottom through which an electrolyte can pass and an air-tight top, a cathode under said bottom, an electrolytic tank located out of contact with the anode, means for passing a stream of electrolyte from the tank into the anode through said bottom on the cathode and back into the tank, and means for maintaining the electrolyte in the anode member at a substantially constant level.

15. In an electrolytic apparatus, the combination with a cathode, of an anode member comprising a hollow box having a per forated side adjacent to the cathode and slightly spaced therefrom, a body of anode metal in small particles held within the box, means for introducing electrolyte into the anode box, means for maintaining the electrolyte at a substantially constant level in the anode box, and means for passing a current from the anode to the cathode.

16. lln a plating apparatus, the combination with means for holding a cathode in position with its surface to be plated on top, a plurality of anode units located over the cathode holder and each provided with a perforated lower surfaceRach of said units consisting of a box having a body of granulated metal therein, means for introducing an electrolyte into each of said boxes individually, means for maintaining a constant reduced pressure in the top of each of said boxes to maintain the electrolyte at a, definite level therein, and an electrical terminal in each of said anode boxes.

17. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination with an anode and cathode, said anode comprising a plurality of closed boxes, each containing anode metal in fine parti-- cles and having a perforated surface adjacent to the surface to'be plated, a tank for receiving electrolyte, a pump for raising the electrolyte from the tank, means for distributing saidelectrolyte from the pump to said boxes, an exhauster, and means connected with said' exhauster for reducing the air pressure in the top of said boxes.

18. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a main shaft, a centrifugal pump mounted on said shaft and operated thereby, a tank for an electrolyte in a position for supplying said pump, an anode member consisting of a closed box, means for directing electrolyte from said pump to said box for supplying the same, an exhauster connected with and operated by said shaft, means for connecting the exhauster ,with the interior of said box to reduce the air pressure therein, said box having a perforated wall, a second shaft connected with the main shaft and operated thereby, said second shaft having a crank, a frame connected with said crank, parallel motion connections for causing said frame to receive the parallel motion from said crank and rotate in its own plane, and a cathode carried by said frame substantially in contact with {he perforated surface of the anode mem- 19. lfn an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a cathode having a top surface to be plated, an anode member comprising a box having a lower perforated surface located over the cathode, means for moving the cathode in a plane parallel with the plane of its top surface, means for introducing electrolyte into said box, and means for maintaining a constant reduced pressure in the upper part of said box to maintain the height of the electrolyte in the box substantially constant.

20. lfn an electrolytic apparatus, the" combination with a cathode, of an anode member comprising a hollow box having a perforated side adjacent to the cathode and slightly spaced therefrom, a body of anode metal in small particles held within the anode member, means for introducing electrolyte into the anode, means for mamtaining the electrolyte at a substantially constant level in the anode member, means for moving one of said members constantly in a plane parallel with the plane of said perforated side, and means for passing a current from the anode to the cathode.

21. An electroplating apparatus comprising an anode member having a bottom through which an electrolyte can. pass, a cathode located under the bottom of the anode, an electrolytic tank located away from the anode and cathode, and means for circulating the electrolyte down through parts of the anode on the cathode and back through other parts of the anode.

22. An electroplating apparatus comprising an anode member consisting of a plurality of independent units, a cathode cooperating with said anode member, said units trolyte can pass, and means .whereby an electrolyte is caused to circulate through certain of said units toward the cathode and through others of said units away from the cathode.

23. An electroplating apparatus comprising an anode member consisting of a plurality of independent units, each containing an anode, a cathode cooperating with said anode member, said units each having a wall through which an electrolyte can pass, said wall being adjacent to the surface to be plated, and means whereby an electrolyte is caused to circulate through certain of said units toward the cathode and through others of said units away from the cathode.

24. An electroplating apparatus comprising an anode member made up of a plurality of units, each consisting of a box having a perforated side, a cathode located adjacent to said perforated sides, means for introducing an electrolyte into certain of said boxes whereby the electrolyte can flow therefrom against the surface of the cathode, and means for causing the electrolyte to flow from the surface of the cathode through the perforated sides of the remainder of said boxes into the interior thereof. I

25. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination with means for holding a cathodein position with its surface to be plated on top, a plurality of anode units located over the cathode and each provided with a perforated lower surface, each of said units consisting of a box having a body of granulated metal therein, means for introducing an electrolyte into said boxes, means for exhausting air from the top of each of said boxes to maintain the electrolyte at a definite level therein, siphonic means for causing the electrolyte to flow out of certain of said boxes, and means whereby the electrolyte taken from said boxes is supplied from the space between the anode and cathode.

26. In a plating apparatus, the combination of two anode boxes each having a bottom provided with capillary perforations, means for holding a cathode under said bottom at a slight distance therefrom, means for supplying a stream of electrolyte to one of said boxes whereby the electrolyte will be caused to flow out through the bottom thereof on the surface of the cathode and. under the perforated bottom of the other box, and a siphon pipe extending out from said other box below the surface of the electrolyte therein to a lower point, whereby the electrolyte flowing on the cathode from the first named box will be returned into the second box.

27. In a plating apparatus, the combination of two anode boxes each having a bottom provided with capillary perforations, a cathode under sa1d bottom, means for supplying a constant stream of electrolyte to one ond box, and means for maintaining a uniform height of electrolyte in both of said boxes.

28. In a platin apparatus, the combina tion with a cathode having a surface to be plated on top of an anode box having a wall provided with capillary perforations and located adjacent to the surface of the cathode, means for supplying a current of electrolyte between the anode and cathode, a siphon leg connecting with said anode box and directed downwardly, means for receiving the lower end of said pipe and maintaining a level of liquid surroundin it at such distance below the bottom 0 said anode box that under normal conditions the surface tension at the capillary perforations will be nearly balanced by the head of electrolyte in the pipe and no liquid will flow out through said tube, whereby whenever the electrolyte is introduced into the space between the anode box and cathode, electrolyte will flow up into the anode box through the capillary oplenings and will flow out of it through said tu e.

29. In an electrolytic apparatus, the combination with a cathode, of an anode box having a wall provided with capillary perforations and located adjacent to the surface of the cathode, means for supplying a current of electrolyte between the anode and cathode, a pipe extending out from said anode box and directed downwardly, means for receiving the lower end of said plpe and maintaining a level of liquid surrounding it at such distance below said anode box that under normal conditions the head of electrolyte in the pipe will be nearly balanced by the surface tension at the capillary perforations and no liquid will flow out through said tube, whereby whenever electrolyte is introduced into the space between the anode box and cathode, the electrolyte will flow into the anode box through the capillary open- 111 s.

E0. The method of electroplating which consists in supporting a body of electrolyte between the surfaces of an anode and a cathode supported in the air, maintaining a regulated pressure on the liquid in the space between the anode and the cathode and circulating it in that space, and passing an electric current through the couple.

31. The electrolytic method which consists in locating the anode and cathode substantially in contact in the air, flowing the electrolyte into the space between them and astes? keeping the space filled, permitting electrolyte to escape from any point at which that space is filled with electrolyte, and passing an electric current through thecouple.

32. The method of electroplating, which consists in circulating an electrolyte between the surfaces of an anode and a cathode supported in the air, passing part of it from the cathode to the anode, maintaining constant pressure on the liquid throughout the space between the anode and cathode and passing an electric current through the couple.

33. The method of electroplating which consists in providing an anode member made up of units and a cathode substantially, but not quite, in contact with the anode, circulating an electrolyte solution through an anode unit into the space between the anode and cathode, holding a body of electrolyte in the anode member adjacent to the surface of the cathode by capillary action, causing I the electrolyte to flow out of said anode unit and to be drawn into another anode unit from the space between it and the cathode when the electrolyte between the anode and cathode is subjected to pressure, and passing an electric current from the anode to. the cathode.

34. The method of electroplating whichv consists in providing a body of electrolyte sniiicient to fill the space between the anode and cathode circulating it in a constant direction past the anode While the plating cur- .rent is passing, and passing a current only through the electrolyte supported in the space between the anode and cathode.

The method of electroplating which consists in circulating the electrolyte in a constant direction between the anode and cathode in a direction parallel to their adjacent surfaces and through a body of anode metal in small particles while the plating current is passing.

36. The method of electroplating which consists in flowing the electrolyte. in two directions through the interior of an anode member while the plating current is passing.

37. The method of electroplating which consists in supporting the two poles of an electroplating couple in the air, flowing the electrolyte between them, maintaining a body of the flowing electrolyte between the poles under a head of liquid and in contact with both poles, and passing a current between the poles.

as. The method of electro-plating which I consists in providing an anode and cathode substantially, but not quite, in contact in the air, flowing a solid streamof the electrolyte solution through the anode and past the adjacent surface of the cathode to be plated, and passing an electric .current from the anode to the cathode.

39. The method of electroplating which consists in locating a hollow anode member having a perforated face with said face substantially in contact with the surface to be plated, flowing an electrolyte into said anode member through the perforations and on the surface to be plated, and passing an electric current from the anode member to said surface to be plated.

4-0. The method of electroplating which consists in providing an anode and cathode, the anode having a perforated. face, flowing a body of electrolyte in a current from the anode through said face against the cathode, passing a current through the anode and cathode, and constantly moving one of said members relatively to the other in a plane parallel to the plane of said perforated face.

41. The method of electroplating which consists in passing a current from an anode having perforations in its face to a cathode, passing the electrolyte through part of said perforated face against the cathode, and passing the electrolyte backthrough another part parallel with the plane of said perforated surface.

42. The method of electroplating which consists in constantly moving the cathode in a horizontal plane with the surface to be plated on top, holding an anode box having a perforated bottom directly over said cathode, but slightly spaced therefrom, maintaining a body of fine anode metal within the anode box, maintaining an electrolyte in the anode box above the perforated bottom to a height therein to cover said anode metal, and passing a current through the couple.

43. The electrolytic method which consists in locatin a hollow anode member having a permeabde bottom over the cathode, plaintaining a constant level of electrolyte 1n the anode above the perforated bottom, and passing a current through the couple.

44%. The electrolytic method which consists in moving a cathode constantly in a horizontal plane, providing a stationary hollow anode with a closed top and a erforated bottom directly over, but slightly spaced from, the top of said cathode, flowing electrolyte into the hollow anode, malntaming a constant reduced pressure in the top of the anode for the purpose of maintaining the electrolyte therein at a definite height and preventin it from running out freely when below said level, and passing a current through the same.

45. In an electroplating machine the combination with an element arranged and adapted to conduct a body of electrolyte into close contact with a cathode, of an element adjacent thereto for conducting the electr0- lyte away from the surface of the cathode.

4.6. In an electroplating machine the combination with a cathode, of an element located in position to conduct a body of electrolyte into close contact with the surface of the cathode, and an element adjacent thereto and having its active surface in the said elements constituting means for consame plane as the active surface of the first ducting a body of electrolyte into contact named element and provided with means with the active surface of the cathode and whereby the electrolyte is conducted away the others constituting means for conducting 5 from the surface of the cathode. the electrolyte away from the surface of the 13 47. In an electroplating machine the comcathode.

bination of a cathode,-of a plurality of ele- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set nents alternating with each other arranged my hand.

with their surfaces adjacent to the active sur- .0 face of the cathode, each alternate one of JOHN E. WOODBUR-Y. 

